Groovin' On A Sunny Afternoon

Snuggy Dog

Kana's gotten better - over the course of this week - at dealing with the snow and cold outside. She seems to get that the coat I put on her before we go out keeps her warm and dry. And she's figured out how to walk on the icy parts: either take little steps or run to the other side. The above picture is how Kana's dealing with the cold outside inside. She's snuggled up against the radiator and she's got her blankie tucked up under her chins. She was snoring away when I took this shot. Spoiled? Naaaaaa.

Le Derriere du Chien

She loves to lay like this. With her arthritic hips, you'd think it would
be uncomfortable. The way she was laying on her tail, it looked like she was trying to be modest or something. And her old lady footies.
That's my girl.

Kana Chair Stop

This is what I see if I look over the right side of my computer chair most times of the day. Kana and her I-insist-you-rub-me belly lay directly next to the chair wheels. If I move the wrong way, I run her over and get a yelp and an accusatory look. She kicks me or the desk with her feeties to get my attention. Either that, or upsidedown barks. In her defense, she's not as chunky as this picture makes her look (the camera adds 10 pounds you know).

Beach Day

Being that it was 100 degrees in Portland yesterday, I decided to take the dog to the beach for a cool-off. I didn't feel like driving all the way to the coast, so I thought I'd check out Sauvie Island Beach for the first time. Sauvie Island is just a teeny bit north of Portland on the Columbia river. It's quite pretty with farms (and u-pick fields!), homes, wildlife preserves and long stretches of river beach. It was Tuesday and I figured - since I got a late start - that the beach wouldn't be so crowded. Silly me. On a hot, sunny Portland summer afternoon the place was packed. The pictures don't really show just how many people were out. It was like Coney Island! Ok, maybe not that bad, but I was surprised. Who are all these people? Don't they have jobs? They can't all be stay-at-home crafters... Although I didn't get a swim in because I had to keep an eye on the dog, the cold river water was luscious to wade into. Kana had a blast charging into the water after her tennis ball and got very irked (see photo) at me for making her lay down and rest a bit. If a dog can glare, this would be it. We weren't there nearly long enough, but I'll be back soon.

Do the Hussy

More Goofy Dog Pictures

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How to Humiliate Your Pitbull

When I moved to Portland, I decided to get Kana a raincoat because it's colder and wetter here. It also saves me time in having to dry her when we come in. She doesn't really seem to mind it until I put the hood up. I think the picture says it all.

I give. She wins!

After months of trying to keep Kana off the couch, I give up. She has won. She has two points in her favor that were a big part of my relenting: she was allowed to sleep on the (different) sofa in my old house, and because she can't go outside by herself here - like she could at the house - it's the place in the apartment where she can find a sunspot (a vital ingredient in her life).
I was attempting to keep her hairy and often muddy little dog body from dirtying the beige futon cover, but alas alack, I can no longer. Besides, letting her sleep on the sofa often lets me sleep longer in the morning. I guess we both win.

Wednesday Things

• I finished a new pair of earrings! I call them Crescent Curls and they are now listed in my Etsy shop. I love how the curlicue earwires add depth and a design element that contrasts with the strong curve.
• I'm almost done with my new necklace called Cascade. It's been unreasonably long in getting finished.
• It's a wonderfully sunny day today. Kana and I were just sitting outside enjoying the warmth.
• My personal curls are totally out of control and I'm finally going to get them lopped on Friday. (I guess that's really a Friday thing...)
• I took Kana to the vet and we have hopefully discovered the cause of some of her behavior of late. I thought it was purely a behavioral issue, but through discussions, it turns out it may actually be medical. This is good and bad. Good for the understanding, bad because it means Kana may have a type of cancer. Need to get tests to know for sure.
• I've got some ideas and I'm going to start working on a small jewelry series.
• Lunch was really yummy!

You don't get out much, do you?

I was out walking Kana this morning. It's more of a slow stroll than a hike. We passed a couple and this was the conversation:

Weird Couple (WC): That's an old dog. How old is she?
Me: Yeah, she's almost 12.
WC: Well I guess that breed ages fast.
Me: Larger dogs don't live as long as smaller dog do.
WC: Maybe she'll make it another year or two.
Me: *glaring at them as they walk away*

WTF? I honestly think they thought they were leaving me with a happy thought, but why would you say that to someone? Well, she might be old, but she's more polite than you'll ever be.